Means for fastening conductors to insulators



D. T. SHAW Nov. 12, 1946.

MEANS FOR FASTENING CONDUCTORS TO INSULATORS Filed March 9, 1943 .7 27211701" flmgaarfiiabf.

Patented Nov. 12, 1946 MEANS FOR FASTENING CONDUCTQRS TO INSULATORS Douglas Thomas Shaw, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Application March 9, 1943, Serial No. 478,537 In Canada February 27., 1943 2 Claims. 1

This invention relates to fasteners for insulators of the type in which it is desired to retain a wire in the slotted end thereof, and the objects of the invention are generally to improve and simplify the construction of such a device and to enable it to be rapidly applied without the necessity of the ordinary tie wire.

In the ordinary type of insulator used for supporting transmission or communication wires from suitable supports it is common to employ insulators having slotted ends with peripheral grooves on the exterior meeting the base of the slots, in which grooves tie wires are retained. The fastening of these tie wires in position occupies a considerable amount of labour, and the material used is more than is necessary to accomplish the purpose desired.

According to the present invention a simple form of fastener is provided in the form of an open ring designed to fit in the peripheral groove and having the ends bent in opposite directions so that when turned it will ride over the wire which is to be retained in the slot, all as hereinafter more fully set forth and described in the accompanying specification and drawing.

In the drawing Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the retaining ring in position.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the retaining ring.

Figure 3 is a perspective view similar to Figure 1 taken from the opposite side.

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the ring in position before it is turned to engage the wire to be retained.

Figure 5 is a similar ure 4 showing another position of the ring.

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional elevation taken through the slot in the insulator.

Figure '7 is a plan view.

In the drawing like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Referring to the drawing, A indicates an insulator of any suitable material, such as porcelain, and, as shown, frusto-conical in shape. The outer end of the insulator is provided with a transverse slot l0 having a convex bottom ll along which is designed to lie the wire 12, which is to be supported and retained in position by the insulator. 13 indicates an annular peripheral groove formed around the exterior of the insulator crossing the lower end of the slot H]. B indicates an open retaining ring conveniently perspective view to Figformed of relatively stiff but spring material, such as copper-plated steel wire. The opposite ends l and i5 of this retaining member are bent in opposite directions so that when the retaining member is in the groove and is turned in one direction the outer member I4 will ride over the wire 12 and securely lock it in position. In the same way if the direction of motion of the retaining member is reversed, the wire I2 will be released.

The method of inserting and retaining the wire l2 in the slot in the insulator may now be explained. The wire is first placed in the transverse slot 10 of the insulating member in the position shown in Figure 4. Upon turning the retaining ring B in a clockwise direction the insulating wire at one end of the slot NJ will be engaged under the retaining member. Upon continuing the clockwise motion of the retaining member the end i l will engage the wire l2 at the opposite side of the slot Ill and ride above it. The retaining member may be then turned until the complete revolution is completed, whereupon the lower member 15 will abut the wire l2 and retain it in position as shown in Figure 3. To remove the ring B it is turned in the opposite direction to the position shown in Fig. 5 when the wire 82 will be released.

I claim:

1. The combination with an insulating member having a peripheral end groove and a transverse slot in which a wire is adapted to be inserted, of a fastening member comprising an open-ended retaining ring adapted to fit in the groove and to be retained therein by the spring of the metal, at least one end of the spring being bent away from the plane of the ring at an angle and adapted to ride over a wire inserted in the slot.

2. Fastener means comprising an open ring of spring metal having one end extended therefrom at a tangent and bent in one direction out of the plane of the ring, the other end being extended therefrom at a tangent and bent out of said plane in the opposite direction, and a support member for the ring said member having an outer groove to receive the rin rotatably therein and a transverse slot to receive a wire therein, one bent end of the ring being adapted when the latter is rotated in its groove, to ride over the wire in the slot and the other bent end of the ring forming a stop to engage the wire.

DOUGLAS THOMAS SHAW. 

